They were here to shoot for a forthcoming piece I wrote for Jewish Living, and this was a first for us. I’m used to being behind-the-scenes, at my computer with a cup of coffee. They paraded around here, very sweet and warm, for five hours. M blew me away with her cooperativeness. (Would she ever let me straighten her collar like that? No!)

But M has had already had a stint in the modeling world.Sort of. When M was three, I sent a few snapshots to a modeling agency another mother had recommended. The agency called me two days later: “We want to meet your daughter!” (M went in for an “interview,” behind closed doors with the female boss, as her Mom sat outside. What was said?)

What I didn’t know was: the agency calls you the night before about the modeling “go see.” It’s a mad scramble. I had to put work on hold and take M out of preschool, then drive her an hour+ to the shoot. Often, she was asleep by the time we got there. There were hordes of gorgeous toddlers in the lobby, waiting to try on the same outfit. It was a true test of my stress limit.

During our few months on various sets, I never met another single mom (they were all stay-at-home moms). Moreover, what I mostly heard from little M was: “I wanna go home!”

That did it.

Chrissy from Storked writes that her agent friend told her, “It’s A LOT of work oh your end, schlepping him to castings, all for $125 an hour.”The law says that your child can work only three hours at a time. (Yes, I did feel very strange getting a work permit for my three-year-old!) Still, I know parents who have paid for their kids’ college thanks to modeling.

Do tell: have you been tempted to have your kids model? Have you taken the plunge? How far would you go to put your kids in the spotlight? What if you could save up for your children’s future?

Photo shoot set up by Thayer and her team. (How do you like that Martha Stewart collar?)

M looks BEAUTIFUL in that photograph! Amazing eyes on that kid of yours!

I have often thought my kids have potential, they have such character. But, we are WAY too busy to even think about it. And if I were to think about it, I’d lean more towards the no end of the decision. Unless we had an opportunity in our laps, of course. We make other sacrifices so we can build a college fund, I don’t feel the need to put the kids to work. Unless it was something they asked for, then I would be their rock of support…

I agree with Angie. My ex wanted us to submit our daughter as a “Gerber baby” but my mom used to work for an agency that used me a few times when I was little and she knew firsthand about the experiences So I opted not to. Professional photos, which all the reputable agencies want, are expensive. As well, there is sooo much competition that the time and energy just doesn’t seem worth the $ you’d likely make.

I did enter my daughter into the “Pretty Little Princess Pageant” for the heck of it and found that in addition to the entry fee, they wanted a lot of money for her to even be considered in the numerous categories. I opted not to, so naturally she didn’t win any of them. But she received a trophy and a certificate anyway, and she had fun, and to me THAT was the most important part. (Plus she was so young that she didn’t even realize that she didn’t win!)

So again, if the opportunity presents itself, that’s one thing. Otherwise, I’m pro 529 plan. Lexi’s only 4 and I already have a great headstart!

Your daughter’s picture is beautiful! My daughter got her first modeling job at four months old. She did print modeling up until she was three and transitioned into commercials. She just turned six and it”s been nothing but a positive experience for us. Yep, it’s hectic at times and can wreak havoc on our schedules but she’s building a nice nest egg for college and beyond and she loves meeting new people whether she’s on a set or going out on an audition.

I thought about it and then I realized it’s really not up to me. It’s her life, so I’m going to wait for her to show me who she is and who she wants to be. Then I’ll do what I can to help her get there.